Kerr Aphra

Roles & Affiliations: Full Professor of Digital Media and Communication at University College Dublin (UCD), Adjunct Professor of Sociology at Maynooth University, and Academic Collaborator at ADAPT Research Centre. Previously held tenured roles at Maynooth University (2005–2024) as Professor and Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer. Holds honorary roles at Technological University Dublin and has held visiting positions at the University of Edinburgh and University of Pennsylvania.

• Permanent/Tenured Full Professor, UCD School of Information and Communication Studies
• Adjunct Professor, Maynooth University Sociology Department
• Co-PI, ADAPT Research Centre (AI & Digital Content Technology)

Education:

• PhD, MA, BA – All from Dublin City University

Research Interests: Focuses on media and technology's societal impact, digital games industry, AI ethics, algorithmic governance, and digital policy. Leads projects on gambling industry analysis, transparent digital governance, and diversity in creative industries. Her work bridges academia and policy, with interdisciplinary collaborations in technology, sociology, and media studies.

Awards & Honors:

• DiGRA Distinguished Scholar (2016)
• IASH-SSPS Fellowship (2019)
• Teaching Innovation Award (2011)

Grants & Projects:

• Co-PI on SSHRC-funded 'Refiguring Innovation in Digital Games' (diversity/inclusion in gaming)
• Lead on gambling industry impact study (2019–2020)
• ADAPT Centre collaborations on AI ethics and algorithmic literacy

Labs & Networks: Co-convenor of Maynooth's Technology & Society Research Network, member of Maynooth Social Sciences Research Institute, and collaborator with UCD's Centre for Digital Policy.